Our lives are
increasingly massaged into a social existence. Some argue that we
are social beings and thus interacting in group environments and liking it is
sign of normal, adjusted behavior. Under this thought, the man that shies away
from group behavior is seen as maladjusted, an outsider, loner or freak.
Is there any
surprise gay men have a difficult time being out at work? Team is tantamount,
even during water cooler talk. No wife, no kids, no grass to mow? Not a team
player.
Workplace
aside, our lives are gauged by social potential. Measurements of manhood have
slowly evolved from penis size to Facebook friend lists and Twitter followers.
The popular kids in school have taken over and our family, friends and
potential dates are in on the contest. Where before we kept some things private
and others public, there is ever increasing pressure to broadcast the full
package. Those details are shouted into the depths of the internet, only to
await comparison and judgement.
For more
social gays, rejection from others is a call to cling tighter to other circles
of cyber family and friends. But what of the shy or introverted gay man? Does
he take the blows in full resolution or retreat into where he wants to be most:
with himself and a limited group of confidants? And, is he a freak for enjoying
a party of two more than two hundred?
It's here
that most stereotypes and generalizations are born. The gay man that stays
clear of the pride parade is assumed many things, his biggest offense being his
refusal to join in the fight. The assumption is that he's not fighting at all.
His anti-social behavior is seen as a rejection of an entire community, when in
fact he just might not like crowds. The "loner" gay man's choices can
root in a number of things ranging from social phobia to shyness. The presumption, however, is most often slanted towards his perceived inadequacy or
danger to the group.
I feel that the many social environments that sees shy gay men as rejects are looking at persons that are essential to the survival of our species.
I am a single gay male that does not involve himself in pride parades, not big on club scenes. I prefer being at home or chatting on the internet with little or no stress on actual meeting anyone I don't feel a connection with. Yes I do have a Social life but it is limited. I like the quite like instead of the loud public scenes.
ReplyDeleteNot following the crowd give me comfort in the presence of who I am. I am truely my own best friend.
ReplyDelete